Organic Materials Management

Here you'll find information on compost, mulch, biosolids, farming, sustainable landscaping, home gardening, food scrap, conversion technology and other topics relating to the management and use of organic resources.

What are "Organics"?
"Organics" means materials that are or were once living, such as leaves, grass, agricultural crop residues, and food scraps. Also, "Organics" includes materials such as wood waste, and manure or biosolids. In nature, these organic materials decay. This decomposed matter, such as the humus on a forest floor, provides nutrient rich material for the surrounding vegetation. The decomposition process is called composting, and the resultant material is compost.

Site Highlights

• 2009 Workshops on Using Compost for Landscape and Environmental Enhancement are being held. Register now to learn about the benefits of compost.
• Organics Policy Roadmap and Schedule identifies six key issue categories related to increasing organics diversion and includes CIWMB staff recommendations that are based on stakeholder input collected at the Biofuels Forum held on March 28, 2007, and the Organics Summit held on October 10, 2007. CIWMB staff presented Roadmap II.at the December 16, 2008 Board Meeting which presented the progress made on Roadmap I and outlined tasks for 2009.
• Compostable Materials Handling Operations and Facilities Regulatory Requirements
• Emissions Testing of Volatile Organic Compounds from Greenwaste Composting at the Modesto Compost Facility in the San Joaquin Valley Study (Publication released October 2007)
  The CIWMB's study of volatile organic compound emissions at a Modesto composting operation and the effects of two mitigation measures on those emissions is now available.
• CIWMB and Caltrans Hosted Erosion Control Workshops: Fall 2007
  Caltrans and the CIWMB conducted a series of workshops on using compost and mulch to improve roadside vegetation and reduce erosion.
• Compost and Mulch Producer Search Tool
  Locate compost and mulch producers by county!
• Organic Materials Management Demonstration Projects
  The CIWMB has a long-standing relationship with California's landscape and agricultural sectors to promote the use of organic materials through waste prevention recycling programs and projects.